Apparatus for embalming



1951 c. L. SPURGEON APPARATUS FOR EMBALMING Filed March 8, 1949 A TI'OPNEYS Patented Jan. 16, 1951 APPARATUS FOR EMBALMING Clyde L Spurgeon, Salem, W. Va.

Application March 8, 1949, Serial No. 80,233

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for use by undertakers during the preparation of a corpse for burial. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for insurin that the corpse will be properly positioned in the coffin or casket.

In the art of embalming, one of the primary objects is properly to position the body in as natural and attractive position as possible. To this end, certain members of the body, notably the arms, should be carefully held in position until the body has assumed rigidity.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for sup porting and positioning the arms of the body being embalmed so that the arms are properly positioned along the sides of the body and across the front thereof, if so desired.

Another object is the provision of a method and apparatus for positioning the arms of a corpse being embalmed such that the support provided by the apparatus can readily be removed without disturbing the arms after they have assumed their final position.

Another object is the provision of a device for 1 engagement the arms of the bodies being embalmed which is flexible so as to be adjustable for body and arm dimensions of all sizes.

A still further object is the provision of a device of the character described which is simple to use and which provides positive support for the said arms.

Still another object is the provision of a relatively inexpensive device for the purposes set forth. 7

It is also an object of this invention to provide an instrument which can readily be folded for storage in a minimum amount of space or for being shipped.

It is also an object to provide a collapsible instrument of the character described which, while being collapsible for shipping or storage, is nevertheless rigid when in use. a

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are plan and side views respectively of a device according to this invention showing the manner of use thereof:

Figures 3 and 4 are plan and side views respectively of the device but are drawn at a larger scale and illustrating also a somewhat modified arrangement for permitting collapsin of the device when not in use; v

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the telescopic arrangement of the frame of the device;

Figure 6 is a cross-section through the telescoping frame part and is indicated by the line 66 on Figure 3; V

Figure 7 is a view indicated by the line 1-1 on Figure 3 showing the construction of the upper arm supporting element; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the construction by means of which the instrument can be collapsed for storage or shipping.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, there is indicated in dot-dash outline at in in Figures 1 and 2, a corpse which is being embalmed. The device of this invention is generally indicated in these figures at E2, and it will be seen to comprise a frame part I4 adapted for extending transversely of the corpse and therebeneath and brackets or shaped rods [6 at opposite ends of the frame part l4 and extending I generally longitudinall of the corpse.

The brackets It have upstanding end parts thereon extending generally perpendicularly.

' The upper of the upstanding end parts are indicated at is and are laterally olfset by the brackets l6 being bent outwardly adjacent thereto. The brackets [6 may beformed of any suitably strong material and may be of any crosssectional shape but are preferably cylindrical, as

shown. I

.The aforementioned upstanding end parts l8 have adjustably mounted thereon the arcuate arm engagin elements 20 which, as will be seen from the'shape thereof and from the illustrations in Figures 1 and 2, are adapted for engaging the outer and under parts of the arms between the shoulder and elbow. These elements thus provide support for the arms for retaining them in a predetermined elevated position and also urge the arms toward the body. It will be evident that it is desirable for the elements 20 to be vertically adjustable on their associated end parts l8, as Well as angularly' adjustable. This is accomplished by supporting the elements 20 on said end parts by means of the collar arrangement at 22 and the adjustable clamping screw 24, best illustrated in Figure '7. 7

It will .also be evident that it is desirable for the elements 20 to be adjustable laterally relative to each other to accommodate for different widths of bodies. To this end the frame part [4 consists of a tubular or sleeve part 26 secured to one of the brackets 16 as by the bolts 28 and a rod or bar part 30 secured to the other bracket It as by the bolts 32. This manner of joining .the brackets 16 to the frame part is shown in Figures 1 and 2 while a collapsible type connection is shownin Figures 3 and 4. In other respects Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are alike. As will be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the sleeve part 26 loosely receives the bar 30 so the instrument can be adjusted along the length of the frame part [4 and thus vary the lateral spacing of the elements 20. For the purpose of releasably retaining the parts 26 and 30 of "the frame M in a plurality of positions of adjustment, there is an upstanding finger or projection 34 on the bottom wall of the sleeve part 26 and a plurality of axially spaced apertures or recesses 36 opening upwardly in the bottom of the rod or bar part 30 for receiving the said projection.

The bar 30 can be released from engagement" with the projection 34 by lifting the said bar, and in this position, the bar and sleeve can be adjusted as to the degree of their telescopic engagementor taken .completelyapart. When the bar .30 is released or occupies ,a position shown .in Figures 1 and 2, .-.it .is interlocked with the sleeve 26, and .this ,predetermines the spacing .of

the elements 20.

At their lower ends, the brackets it have their upstanding end parts .38 and .adjustablymounted on these end parts are other arm engaging .ele-

.ments40. The elements 40 areof .theshape of inverted Us and are adapted for fitting over the arms below .the elbows, preferably adjacent the wrists. Inasmuch as .it is not necessary .for

the elements .40 to provide any lifting support for the arms, they are provided with bracket members or clips 42 extending outwardly there- ;from which have thereina plurality ofapertures 44 forslidably receivingthe upstanding parts .38

of the brackets l6. The pluralityof apertures in the members 42 permit .adjustment of the .elements 4!] toward andaway fromthe upstanding end parts 38.as well-as movable vertically therealong so that they can be fitted over thesaid forearms in thepropermanner.

.In practice, it has been found that the-spacing between the upstanding parts l8 should be variable from about sixteen inches to twenty-five inches, and that .the distance between the two upstanding end parts on each .bracket should be somewhere between eleven and twelve inches. The lateral adjustability or extensibilityof .the frame M-is made in steps of aboutoneinch each.

Operation In operation, one of the brackets l6 :and its associated :frame'partis placed adjacent-the body with the frame part extending therebeneath. The other bracket l6 and its frame part isplaced on the other side of the'body-and the two :frame parts placed in telescopic engagement. The "inof :the body in thedesired position.

Thereafter, the elements All are placed over 'the forearms for retaining them in the proper position. At this'timesthe arms of thebody will be =he'ld'in the desired position, "and this-materially assists in properly positioning a'body in the coffin.

Thereafter, "the instrument can be =removed,

strument is in use.

4 l and it is to be noted that this can be accomplished Without disturbing the positions of the arms in any way whatsoever. To remove the instrument the elements 40 are removed by lifting them vertically from the upstanding end parts 38 of the brackets H5. The instrument is then extended by lifting one end of the bar 30 and pulling the two parts of the instrument apart. It will be observed that due to the fact that the elements 20 engage only the outer and lower parts of the arms above the elbows, the instrument can :be removed without in any way disturbing the arms.

It will be seen that the method and apparatus which I have invented for positioning and holding the arms of a body during the process of embalming is quite effective and leads to superior results in that the arms are firmly held in position due to the arm supporting elements being rigidly connected by the instrument frame, but that the instrument can readily be removed from the body without disturbing the arms. Further, the flexibility of the frame and the adjustable supports for the arm supporting elements permits easy and exact adjustment of the instrument to all sizes of bodies and for accomplishment of all desired poses of the arms.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary-view showing in;perspective the manner in which the brackets or rods l6 are connected with the parts 26 and 3G in Figures '3 and 4 so the instrument'can be folded for storage or .shipping. In these views the end of the bar 30, or the sleeve 26, as the case. may be, is bent around the rod l6, therebyto provide a pivotal support therefor. The bar or sleeve is slotted at 50 for receiving a stud 52 which extends into the bar l6. The length of the slot 50 is such that stud 52 occupies the position shown in full lines when the instrument is in use and the position indicated in dot-dash outline when the instrument is folded for shipping 01' storage.

It will be evident that while this arrangement permits the instrument to be readily collapsed, it still provides for maintaining the arm engaging elements in rigid relationship when the in- It will also be evident that the particular arrangement shown for providing for the pivotal connection of the rods I6 to the parts .30 and 26 is only exemplary of many other arrangements that could be made to obtain the collapsibility of the instrument.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt itto different usages and conditions, and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described; a laterall extensible frame, a longitudinally extending bracket at each end of the frame having spaced upstanding end parts integral therewith, arcuate arm engaging elements on the said end parts of said brackets, the element at one end of each said bracket opening inwardly and upwardly for engagement with the outside and lower parts of the arms above the elbow, said last named elements being adjustable on their associated end parts, angularly relative thereto and also along the length thereof, the others of said elements opening downwardly for fitting over the arms below the elbow, said others of said elements being adjustable on the other end parts of said brackets angularly relative thereto, along the length thereof and toward and away from the said end parts.

2. In a device of the character described; a telescoping frame adapted for being positioned transversely beneath a corpse at about the waist thereof, means for retaining said frame in a plurality of telescopic positions so the ends thereof are adjacent the sides of said corpse, brackets on the ends of the frame extending generally longitudinally of the corpse and having upstanding end parts, an arcuate arm engaging element on the upstanding end part at the head end of each of said brackets, means detachably clamping the said elements on said upstanding parts for angular adjustment relative thereto and for adjustment along the length of said upstanding parts, other arcuate arm engaging elements adapted for being supported on the upstanding parts at the other ends of said brackets, said other elements having clips secured thereto and said clips each having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving the upstanding part at the said other ends of said brackets so said other elements are adjustable along the length of the supporting end parts of the said brackets, angularly relative thereto, and toward and away'from the said end parts.

3. In combination in a device of the character described; a pair of generally parallel and lat erally spaced brackets, arm engaging elements adjustably supported by said brackets so as to provide support for the arms of a corpse above and below the elbows thereof, a bar secured to one bracket and extending toward the other bracket, a sleeve secured to the said other bracket and telescopically receiving said bar, and latch means for retaining said bar and sleeve in a plurality of positions of telescopic adjustment 4. In combination in a device of the character described; a pair of generall parallel laterally spaced brackets, arm engaging elements adjustably supported by said brackets so as to provide support for the arms of a corpse above and below the elbows thereof, a bar secured to one of said brackets between its ends and extending toward the other of said brackets a sleeve secured to the said other of said brackets and loosely telescopically receiving said bar, a projection upstanding from the bottom wall of said sleeve, and a plurality of spaced apertures opening into said bar from the bottom part thereof for receiving said projection.

5. A device for positioning the arms of a corpse being embalmed comprising; a frame member for extending generally transversely of the corpse, a bracket on each end of the frame member extending generally longitudinally of the corpse, a

6 corpse above the elbows thereof, and a second pair of elements on said brackets adapted for supporting engagement with the said arms below the elbows thereof, said brackets being pivotally connected with said member for permitting the device to be collapsed for storage or shipment.

6. In a device of the character described; an

extensible frame, a bracket at each end of the frame having upstanding end parts, and 'arcuate arm engaging elements on the said end parts of said brackets, the. elements at one end of said brackets opening inwardly and upwardly for engaging the outside and lower parts of the arm above the elbow, and the other elements opening downwardly for fitting over the arm below the elbow, said brackets being pivotally connected with the ends of said frame for collapsing of the device for shipping or storage.

7. In combination in a device of the character described; a pair of generally parallel and laterally spaced rod-like brackets, arm engaging elements adjustably supported by said brackets so as to provide support for the arms of a corpse above and below the elbows thereof, a bar secured to one bracket and extending toward the other bracket, a sleeve secured to the said other bracket and telescopically receiving said bar, and latch means for retaining said bar and sleeve in a plurality of positions of telescopic adjustment, said brackets being pivotally secured to said bar and sleeve for permitting collapsing of said device.

8. In combination in a device of the character described; a pair of generally parallel and laterally spaced rod-like brackets, arm engaging elements adjustably supported by said brackets, a transverse frame extending between said brackets and connected thereto adjacent their intermediate portions, mean pivotally connecting said brackets with the ends of said frame for pivotal movement of the brackets in a plane substantially perpendicular to their axes, and means for limiting the pivoting movement of said brackets in at least one direction.

CLYDE L. SPURGEON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,516,795 Schwarting Nov. 25, 1924 1,671,862 Heinz May 29, 1928 1,799,781 Chalfant Apr. '7, 1931 2,180,270 Anderson Nov. 14, 1939 OTHER REFERENCES Casket and Sunnyside, May 1946, page 61. 

